Pittsburgh Steamship Company

Formed in 1899 and becoming a subsidiary of U.S. Steel Corporation in 1901, the Pittsburgh Steamship Company became the largest commercial fleet in the world, operating over 100 vessels at its peak. The company played a dominant role in Great Lakes shipping and the American steel industry, leading in efficient operations, technological advancements, and employee safety. 

Vessels Operated or Owned by

• Cedarville was a steel-hulled bulk freighter, initially built as the A.F. Harvey in 1927. It served as a workhorse on the Great Lakes, primarily transporting bulk cargo such as limestone. In 1957, the vessel underwent a significant transformation at DeFoe Shipbuilding Company, where it was converted into a self-unloader, enabling it to unload cargo independently. This modification greatly enhanced its efficiency, making it a vital asset to the Pittsburgh Steamship Company, a subsidiary of U.S. Steel Corporation.
• William Edenborn represents a classic example of early 20th-century bulk freighters that played a pivotal role in the industrialization of the Great Lakes region. Built in 1900 and operated primarily by U.S. Steel subsidiaries, the vessel transported iron ore, coal, and other bulk materials essential to the steel industry. Despite a grounding incident in 1905 near Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior, the vessel enjoyed a long and productive career before being scuttled in 1962 to serve as a breakwater in Cleveland, Ohio.